I'm very tempted to Google about radiologists messing up.

[Fraser]

Like my brain is like "check out if radiologists ever mess up reading ultrasounds and say that tumors that are malignant look benign." But here's the thing: of course I will find that. Of course that has happened and will happen again and of course if I google it I will find examples of that happening to people and those people dying as a result. I have no reason, however, to think that that might have happened with me and in any case I've been referred to urologist to follow up with the tumor because benign or not it likely needs to be removed. So I need to not open the Google gate that will allow my HA to run wild and possibly drag me into a hell of paralyzing anxiety.

But wow, is the impulse to do it strong right now.

 

[Givethanks82]

Don’t

 

[sTeaLth]

Like my brain is like "check out if radiologists ever mess up reading ultrasounds and say that tumors that are malignant look benign." But here's the thing: of course I will find that. Of course that has happened and will happen again and of course if I google it I will find examples of that happening to people and those people dying as a result. I have no reason, however, to think that that might have happened with me and in any case I've been referred to urologist to follow up with the tumor because benign or not it likely needs to be removed. So I need to not open the Google gate that will allow my HA to run wild and possibly drag me into a hell of paralyzing anxiety.

But wow, is the impulse to do it strong right now.

Ya man. I’ve been tempted this week to go back and read that article on Sarcoma again to see if my leg looks like his. Can you believe that? I’d spiral right into the ground. Don’t do it. It’s not worth the consequences. The good news is the chances of them messing up is slim. They do this all the time and are hugely liable. Having a doctor sign off on your being okay is a great thing. Rejoice instead of doubting and searching for despair.

 

[mollyfin]

I feel you on this one. Fight the impulse; as you say, it won't help, because yes it's surely happened in the past - doctors are people and medical technology isn't flawless - but the odds of it happening are extremely low. It's not worth the anxiety to stress over it.

 

[Cuchculan]

Do a trade off. Every time the urge is strong to Google, make a post here on the forum instead. About how you are feeling at that exact moment in time. We should set up some kind of record system on the site. For people who like to Google. To see can they break their own personal best for not going near Google. We have loads of members who do Google. Imagine one thread they all posted in when the urge to Google came over them. They all keep track of the days they didn't Google. And all be honest if they did Google. Bit like an AA meeting only for Google addicts. Because it is a serious problem. I do read posts that carry huge medical names in them. First thing that comes to my mind is that person must have been on Google to know that big medical term.

 

[Phillies Phan]

Do a trade off. Every time the urge is strong to Google, make a post here on the forum instead. About how you are feeling at that exact moment in time. We should set up some kind of record system on the site. For people who like to Google. To see can they break their own personal best for not going near Google. We have loads of members who do Google. Imagine one thread they all posted in when the urge to Google came over them. They all keep track of the days they didn't Google. And all be honest if they did Google. Bit like an AA meeting only for Google addicts. Because it is a serious problem. I do read posts that carry huge medical names in them. First thing that comes to my mind is that person must have been on Google to know that big medical term.

Excellent idea. You should try to get a moderator to set that up

 

[Fraser]

Do a trade off. Every time the urge is strong to Google, make a post here on the forum instead. About how you are feeling at that exact moment in time. We should set up some kind of record system on the site. For people who like to Google. To see can they break their own personal best for not going near Google. We have loads of members who do Google. Imagine one thread they all posted in when the urge to Google came over them. They all keep track of the days they didn't Google. And all be honest if they did Google. Bit like an AA meeting only for Google addicts. Because it is a serious problem. I do read posts that carry huge medical names in them. First thing that comes to my mind is that person must have been on Google to know that big medical term.

Oh weird, I was thinking the same thing about how this forum should set up something where you kind of "sign" on, and then see how many hours, days, weeks, months, etc you can go without googling health symptoms.

One thing that I've found useful is when I have the urge to Google a symptom, I google health anxiety coping mechanisms instead.

 

[bin_tenn]

One thing that I've found useful is when I have the urge to Google a symptom, I google health anxiety coping mechanisms instead.

That definitely helps. Another trick I've always liked is, if you Google your symptoms, add "anxiety" to the end of the search. So "chest pain" becomes "chest pain anxiety", for example. It helps get the more likely (anxiety) results in front of you.

 

[Cuchculan]

Have passed on the idea. If I hear anything back I will let you all know. Was just a suggestion of the sticky topic. With certain wording. We can only try. Keep you all up-dated when / if I hear anything back.

 

[Fraser]

Have passed on the idea. If I hear anything back I will let you all know. Was just a suggestion of the sticky topic. With certain wording. We can only try. Keep you all up-dated when / if I hear anything back.

It might be useful if the thread doesn't auto-merge posts like most threads do. Not sure if that's doable.

 

[Cuchculan]

The auto-merge thing only really happens if you post quickly in the same thread. Have to allow a bit of time to pass before you make a second post in the same thread. Is on most forums. Used to have a forum that didn't allow a second post within a certain time limit. Is similar here, only it adds the second post to the first one.

 

[Fraser]

The auto-merge thing only really happens if you post quickly in the same thread. Have to allow a bit of time to pass before you make a second post in the same thread. Is on most forums. Used to have a forum that didn't allow a second post within a certain time limit. Is similar here, only it adds the second post to the first one.

Ah, good to know. It usually just happens to me when I respond to multiple posts in a row. Not an issue I'm worried about.

 

[Cuchculan]

Like me replying to this as quick as I am, nothing will happen, because you made a post after me. Had I of made two quick posts in this thread, they would merge and become one.

 

[Fraser]

Another thing that would be useful about the kind of thread Cuchculan is proposing is that it would be centered on trying to mitigate anxiety producing behavior instead of trying to reduce anxiety through reassurance. A quick look at the threads on the on the first page and you can see that the vast majority are people experiencing a symptom looking for reassurance about that symptom. That's okay, and people with health anxiety are going to do that (it's part of our compulsion). But ultimately, I think the more the forum can be geared toward helping people get the tools to proactively combat their health anxiety the better.

 

[Cuchculan]

I think any thread, like the Google thread, if it happens, is a kind of challenge to people. Come here instead of using Google.Once we have them in the thread we can maybe challenge them even more. On an old forum, no longer exists, we started a thread once to encourage people to leave their houses. Thing was, when out, they had to take pictures. They would post their pictures in the thread. Rather than sitting around feeling sorry for themselves, they were going on and been productive. Anybody could join in. you should have seen the amount of people who did join in. Much more than we imagined would join in. Much the same as you are saying and something I have always said. To see any sort of change in people they have to want to productive / proactive in making changes happen in their lives. I have never once told anybody to try something that I would not try myself. Not going to get any better on words alone. Words might be nice. But you have to act on what you might be reading. Do things for yourself in order to see changes happen in your life. it is never easy. Nobody ever said it was. That is were the challenge comes in. To not give up, to puch that bit harder. Make it happen. If people begin to see they can do things, they will want to do even more.

As a foot note I will tag @Rinka in this thread to let her know I have sent her a private message about all of this and the idea of the thread. I know she can be busy. Can get a lot of messages from people. A tag some times works best and is seen quicker. She can read the thread and see what she thinks of all the ideas been added. Then maybe come up with something that matches what people are looking for. if there is going to be any thread, it will boil down to Rinka to make it a sticky topic and make it happen.

 

[Rinka]

Hi my guys and gals,
I think the "don't google" sticky threat is a really good idea.
Hubby Admin and I are working on one for you and will let you know, what it's live.
I have to say, I am really proud of this community, the ideas and (most of the time) mutual respect you have for each other.
It's a pleasure

 

[Belizz]

Please don't visit Dr. Google!
Besides let me tell you, in an ultrasound benign things and malignant things look different. So a radiologist wouldn't miss that.
It's their basic education.
Good day.

 

[bigjetplane2]

Hi my guys and gals,
I think the "don't google" sticky threat is a really good idea.
Hubby Admin and I are working on one for you and will let you know, what it's live.
I have to say, I am really proud of this community, the ideas and (most of the time) mutual respect you have for each other.
It's a pleasure

This community is amazing!!! Please don’t ever get rid of it. We are all friends here and we pick eachother up when we are at our lowest.

 

[Fraser]

Hi my guys and gals,
I think the "don't google" sticky threat is a really good idea.
Hubby Admin and I are working on one for you and will let you know, what it's live.
I have to say, I am really proud of this community, the ideas and (most of the time) mutual respect you have for each other.
It's a pleasure

Any movement on this?

 

[Cuchculan]

Try tagging her in a post. Only way she will see it.